in the sun

5"x7" oil

Here is another take on Sherman Creek. This time the sun is behind me as opposed to the last few which were backlit. More warm colors in this even though it's still a cold day. I stick to the sun is warm theory so anything the sun is hitting will be from the warm side of my palette. Been fighting a touch of a cold, so just started back painting small scale. The energy that large work requires would have been too depleting.

light

5"x7" oil

So This is what happens when I throw architecture out the window and try to catch light. This is a tough time of year for me to paint. I am, however, excited about the future. Actually, I'm not. Stay in the present............

Sherman Creek "revisited"

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12"x12" oil/canvas

Silly me decided to do another frozen scene from my trip to Warm Springs Lodge. The only reason there is some open water is because the warm springs flow into the creek here.

There is a general consensus that people prefer warm paintings to cool ones. I prefer to paint all conditions. This winter has been frigid and I'm painting frigid. You might think in summer these would cool people down. We'll see. The big seller in summer is food on a stick. The artists don't have a prayer............I'm looking into a portable deep fryer.......just kidding.

spring hemlocks

40"x30" oil/linen

A client recently requested a vertical version of a plein air piece I did a couple of years ago. I have to say I was very happy to revisit the scene and I truly felt like I was there. Minus the black flies :) It felt good....there are no insects in this one!

essentials

12"x12" oil

While painting a few weeks ago with the seven livelies group I took a break and drove/walked around snapping photos left, right and sideways. It was brutally cold so I did most work inside. Enjoyed the stroll though while snapping pics. I'll say this about working from photos. They are a departure point. I see the light, composition, line and massing. I use a temperature controlled palette and leave a whole bunch out. I see my take on the scene develope from the first dark stroke. I work from dark to light. The goal is to "feel" the piece come to fruition I think. If you don't feel it do something else for the time being. Someone else recently said this on a blog and I couldn't agree more. I'd research it but spent the morning putting a serpentine belt in the jetta and afternoon painting. Now I gots to eat.............

Trails

5"x7" oil

So as I gaze at the work after I feel I've done enough, I start to feel an influence. Don't know whom. This piece is getting close to some recent 'mental" paintings. Intuition, fruition, institution. Who's to say what's next. This is an observation piece...........My eyesight is deteriorating.......

Intuition

5"x7" oil

Haven't painted in awhile for a multitude of reasons. Was finally able to empty my head and get into studio. I say empty my head because for me painting depends a lot on intuition. I had many flashes while doing this small piece. I'd like to say I'll remember them but I won't. The key will be to allow flashes in the next piece. "Minds are like parachutes, they only work when they are open".

On the road again....

The van is loaded. Off to the CBA Art Show in Lincroft, NJ. Been framing and organizing lately so not much painting in the last few days. On the ground here is a 36"x48" of the goldfish pond I paint every now and then.

Believe it or not ,yesterday there was a 1/2" covering of ice on EVERYTHING. You may remember last year I did the show and we had a blizzard. Sat in the hotel watching a flag get ripped to shreds and snowmobiles on the road all day Saturday. Snow and ice are forecast again . Hopefully not much though.